Apple tree named ‘Smeralda’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  Mill. apple tree named ‘Smeralda’ particularly characterized by having a compact habit with short branches and therefore very easy to manage. Precocious fruit bearing. Consistent high productivity with no tendency to biennial bearing. Resistant to scab. The ripening time is 30 days before ‘Granny Smith’. The fruit is medium-large with a smooth, uniform green color. The fine, crispy, juicy, pleasant flesh is yellow with an excellent flavour, feeling fresh in the mouth because of its high sugar content and elevated acidity. The taste is similar to ‘Granny Smith’ but sweeter and more fragrant. Long storage capacity and long shelf life.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malus domestica Mill.

Variety denomination: ‘Smeralda’.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to European Community Plant Variety Office Application No. 2011/1880, filed Jul. 26, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree, botanically known as Malus domestica Mill. of the Family Rosaceae, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘Smeralda’.

The new Malus variety is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors, Michelangelo Leis, Alessio Martinelli, Gianfranco Castagnoli and Francesco Tagliani in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Malus varieties with improved production characteristics, high-quality flavour and aroma, and sustainability by increasing the tree's natural resistance. The primary objective of the research programme is to selection new apple varieties with natural resistances, in particular to scab.

The new Malus variety, ‘Smeralda’ originated from a cross made in a planned, controlled breeding program in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The female parent is an unpatented selection denominated ‘DA-85’. The male parent is an unpatented selection denominated ‘B9-5’. ‘Smeralda’ was discovered and selected in September 2005 by the inventors as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new Malus variety by budding and grafting was first performed in September 2005 and in the following years in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new Malus variety are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true to type.

In comparison to the parents ‘Smeralda’ differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison to parent varieties Characteristic in State of expression The female which the variety of candidate parent The male parent is different variety (DA-85) (B9-5) Resistance to scab Yes Not Yes Fruit: color Green Red Yellow Fruit: size Medium to large Medium Medium Time of eating Medium to late Medium Late to very late maturity

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Smeralda’ which in combination distinguish this apple tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Green skin color fruit;     -   2. Scab resistance;     -   3. Compact habit and short branches, easy to manage and     -   4. High sugar content and elevated acidity, that give a balanced         flavor.

In comparison to the similar variety ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Smeralda’ differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with similar variety Denomination Characteristic in State of State of of which the similar expression of expression of similar variety variety is different similar variety candidate variety ‘Granny Smith’ Time of eating Very late Medium to late maturity Color of flesh Greenish Cream Resistance to disease No Scab resistant

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventors, the most similar in comparison to ‘Smeralda’ is variety ‘Granny Smith’ as compared in Table 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new apple tree ‘Smeralda’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Smeralda’. In some photographs the label shows the breeder's reference ‘A7B9-119’.

FIG. 1: illustrates the tree of ‘Smeralda’;

FIG. 2: illustrates the leaves of ‘Smeralda’;

FIG. 3: illustrates the flowers of ‘Smeralda’; and

FIG. 4: illustrates the fruits of ‘Smeralda’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Malus variety ‘Smeralda’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Malus variety ‘Smeralda’ as grown in the apple farm in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The apple farm where ‘Smeralda’ is grown is situated near the Adriatic sea (44° 45′ North, 12° 11′ East) and is zero (0) meters above sea level. The soil of the apple farm where ‘Smeralda’ is grown is sandy, and the soil is treated with manure every year and irrigated with drip irrigation systems. The climate is temperate continental with high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includes observations, measurements and values based on four (4) year old ‘Smeralda’ trees that were grown in the apple farm in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, from 2007 to 2010 All trees were of cropping maturity. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual trees of ‘Smeralda’. The measurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately at 10:00 am in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy.

All trees of ‘Smeralda’, insofar as they have been observed, have been identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Malus domestica Mill. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Malus domestica Mill. ‘DA-85’ (unpatented             selection).         -   Male parent.—Malus domestica Mill. ‘B9-5’ (unpatented             selection). -   Propagation: Budding and grafting on M9 rootstock. -   Tree:     -   -   Age.—Observed plants were four years old.         -   Vigor.—Medium vigor.         -   Form.—Pyramidal ramified.         -   Habit.—Spreading, branches angle is 80° to 100° with respect             to trunk if allowed to grow naturally.         -   Density.—Medium density.         -   Cropping behavior.—Early beginning of production; very high             and constant productivity and regular and abundant             flowering; no biennial bearing.         -   Type of bearing.—Long shoot and spurs.         -   Production.—4^(th) year: 15 Kg.         -   Size.—Height: 2.5 m. Spread: 1.25 m. Trunk Diameter: about             52 mm as measured 20 cm above point of grafting.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Bark color.—Greyed-green RHS 197 A.         -   Trunk lenticels.—Length: 1.5 mm. Width: 1 mm. Color:             greyed-orange, RHS 164 B. Density: 2 per cm².         -   Branches.—Number per tree: About 20 (twenty). Length: Varies             due to pyramidal shape of tree. At 4 years, maximum of 90 cm             to 110 cm; minimum of 10 cm to 15 cm. Diameter (at 3 years):             About 8 mm to 12 mm. Surface texture: smooth. Color (at 3             years): RHS grey, RHS 201 A. Internode length: About 2 cm to             4 cm. Internode diameter: About 6 mm to 8 mm.         -   Branches lenticels.—Length: 0.5 mm. Width: 0.7 mm. Color:             greyed-yellow, RHS 161 B. Density: About 5 per cm². -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, petiolated.         -   Lamina.—Size: Length (4 year old): 91.3 mm (from 3^(rd) to             5^(th) fully expanded leaf). Width (4 year old): 52.5 mm             (from 3^(rd) to 5^(th) fully expanded leaf). Length/width             ratio: 1.81. Overall Shape: narrow-elliptic. Base shape:             narrow to broad. Apex shape: acuminate. Margin: serrate.             Pubescence: absent on upper surface and medium pubescent on             lower surface. Attitude in relation to shoot: outwards.             Color (mature leaves): green, RHS 139 A on the upper side             and 137 C underside. Color (immature leaves): green, RHS 143             A on the upper side and 139 C underside.         -   Venation.—Type: prominent pinnate venation from a midrib to             the edge. Color: light green, RHS 147 D.         -   Petiole.—Length: about 32 mm. Diameter: about 2 mm. Texture:             hairy. Color: light green, RHS 147 C with medium extent of             anthocyanin coloration from base, RHS 53 A red group.         -   Stipule.—Arrangement: adnate, grown together; medium size.             Length (distance of stipules from basal attachment of             petiole): 4 mm to 9 mm. Width: 1 mm to 1.5 mm. -   Spur:     -   -   Present.—Yes.         -   Distance between each spur.—On the three year old branches,             the distance is about 15 mm to 40 mm.         -   Number of fruit per spur.—3 to 4 with out thinning. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on April 8^(th) in S. Giuseppe di             Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy in year 2011.         -   Blooming period.—8 to 10 days.         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Type.—Inflorescence.         -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—5 to 6.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: about 35 mm. Flower depth (height of             the corolla): about 7-8 mm, when the flower is fully open.             Flower color: Primarily white, RHS 155B, when petals fully             opened, undersides of petals there are shades red-purple             color, RHS 70 B. In the balloon stage the color is RHS 185 C             greyed-purple group.         -   Buds.—Number of buds per spur: one. Shape: pointed. Length:             about 8 mm. Width: about 4.5 mm. Color: brown, RHS 200 B.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: intermediate. Number per flower: (Five             to six (5 to 6)). Length: 16.95 mm. Width: 12.1 mm.             Length/width ratio: 1.4. Overall shape: elliptic. Apex             shape: obtuse. Base shape: rounded. Texture: smooth. Margin:             entire. Color (upper surface): white, RHS 155 B. Color             (lower surface): white with shade red-purple RHS 70 B.         -   Sepals.—Number per flower: five (5). Length: 3.65 mm. Width:             3.6 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.8. Overall shape: lanceolate.             Apex shape: acute. Texture: hairy. Margin: entire. Color             (upper surface): green RHS 143 C. Color (lower surface):             green RHS 144 B.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 18 mm to 23 mm. Diameter: 2 to 3 mm.             Texture: hairy. Color: green, RHS 138 B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruits have a long shelf life, two             weeks at room temperature.         -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.         -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 143 days in S.             Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy.         -   Date of first and last pickings.—About 30 August and 9             September in S.Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy (North             44° 45′46.2″, East 012° 11′31.9″) in year 2011.         -   General shape.—Conic.         -   Average weight.—217 g.         -   Fruit size.—Average height: 68.62 mm. Average diameter (at             widest point): 81 mm.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—¾ of the height near stem end.         -   Height/diameter ratio.—0.85.         -   Stem.—Length: 25.84 mm. Diameter: 2.26 mm. Color:             yellow-green, RHS 152 B.         -   Stalk cavity.—Depth: 16.4 mm. Width: 38.09 mm.         -   Eye basin.—Aperture of eye: fully open. Depth: 11.1 mm.             Width: 28.83 mm. Crowning at calyx end: weak. Position of             sepals: erect. Calyx tube: funnel form.         -   Skin.—Thickness: medium. Texture: smooth. Bloom: absent.             Greasiness: absent. Firmness (at picking time): 7 to 8             kg/cm². Overcolor color: not present. Ground color: green,             RHS 144 B.         -   Skin lenticels.—Length: about 0.6 mm. Width: about 0.5 mm.             Color: greyed-orange, RHS 164 B. Density: about 1.64 per             cm².         -   Flesh.—Color: light-yellow, RHS 4 D. Texture: firm, crisp             and juicy. Aroma: the aroma intensity is light. Eating             quality: good with high level of acidity and good content in             sugar. Sugar content (at picking time): 12.5 to 13.5° Brix.             Acidity/Starch (at picking time): Acidity: 8 to 9 g/l Malic             acid/starch: 3 Laimburg scale 1 to 5.         -   Core.—Symmetry of core: symmetric. Distinctness of core             lines: clearly evident. Locules: Number (per fruit): 5             (five). Length: 12.02 mm. Width: 4.87 mm. Form: moderately             open. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number per fruit.—9 to 10.         -   Number per locule.—About 2.         -   Shape.—Ellipsoid, elongated and pointed.         -   Length.—8.86 mm.         -   Width.—5.40 mm.         -   Color.—Brown, RHS 200 D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number per flower: 20 (Twenty). Length:             6.8 mm. Filament: Length: about 6.8 mm. Anther: Shape:             ovoid, flat in the center. Length: 1.96 mm. Diameter:             1.5 mm. Color: yellow, RHS 13 D. Pollen: Amount: abundant.             Color: yellow, RHS 13 C. Requirements: the crab apple ‘Malus             Evereste’ is a good pollinator.         -   Gynoecium.—Stigma: Shape: funnel shape with receptive             surface on top. Length: 0.7 mm. Width: 0.6 mm. Color:             yellow-green, RHS 144 C. Style: Number per flower: 5 (Five).             Length: 8.75 mm. Width: 0.35 mm. Color: yellow-green, RHS             145 B. Ovary: Length: about 3 mm. Width: about 2 mm. Color:             yellow-green, RHS 144 A.         -   Use.—Fresh market.         -   Sensitivity to disease/pests.—Scab resistance.         -   Winter hardiness.—Tolerance to temperatures of −12° C.             without observed damage to wood and buds of dormant apple             trees; but open flowers and young fruitlets are killed by             exposure to −3° C. to −5° C., depending on the length of             exposure.         -   Drought/heat tolerance.—Good tolerance to heat, up to 40°             C., growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.         -   Shipping/storage characteristics.—Very good storability             under ULO-conditions (1° C., 2% 0₂, 2% CO₂) for up to             six (6) months. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Malus domestica Mill. apple tree named ‘Smeralda’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 